Lom stared at Fah; he had no idea how to answer. If it were anyone but Fah, he would have killed them before getting into the car and leaving. He had no idea what to do now.

If he let Fah go, he might turn Lom in to the police for the abduction of the judge and his family. However, he couldn't hold Fah prisoner indefinitely. Realizing the many variables, he chose not to think about it until he had some sleep.

"I need to eat and I'm exhausted. Do you want anything? Some soup?" It irritated Lom that Fah expected him to share his plan.

"Soup," said Fah.

He heard Lom talking but couldn't discern what he was saying; he supposed it was the dinner order. Closing his eyes, he tried to sleep but couldn't stop reliving his actions earlier in the day. He began praying for forgiveness. If he survived this he would never miss an opportunity to make merit again.

A buzzer sounded and Lom answered the intercom. "Food delivery," said a disembodied voice. Lom buzzed him up, took the food, and thanked the delivery man. Suddenly there was a voice in his ear.

"Fah, I'll help you sit up," said Lom.

He brought more pillows, put them against the headboard, and propped Fah into a sitting position.

"Here, I got some Boba for you, I remember you always liked sweet milk tea when you were upset." Lom smiled at Fah and placed it on the bedside table. "Let me bring your soup. I also bought you some warm bread as well, to help calm your stomach down. I'll be right back."

Fah didn't understand why Lom was being kind to him. There was no way he would ever fall for Lom again. Both of his hands held tight to the duvet, clenching so hard he was in danger of ripping it. His brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed as he watched Lom.

I wonder if he laughed at stupid Fah in love with him, he thought. I was a toy to fuck around with. Now that you admitted you never had feelings for me do you think you can still manipulate me with some soup and by remembering I like Boba when I'm upset?

The condo was constructed using an open floor plan; the two men could see each other. Lom stood in the kitchen putting Fah's food on a tray. He sliced the bread thinner to make it easier for Fah to eat.

Fah eyed him, wondering if he was going to poison the food. Is that why he took the delivery to the kitchen and opened the containers?

No one in the family cared about me - no wonder Ton easily accepted your explanation that I was a mistake. Left on the couch at Mek's place showed me what you felt. You didn't love me, you didn't consider me a friend when I lived at home. Why was I so stupid? If I live through this you'll never trick me again.

Lom returned carrying a tray with a bowl of soup and some slices of bread. He set it down on the bureau, grabbed a small table, and set it next to the bed. He put Fah's dinner on the table.

"Is this okay? Do you need any help eating?" asked Lom. Fah shook his head no.

Lom regarded him for a moment before going to sit on the sofa in the living room. He turned on the TV and began eating. Fah could detect the music of a lakorn playing. He closed his eyes; he had no appetite.

A few hours later Lom returned to check on Fah. The Boba tea and dinner were untouched. Fah had always liked to eat; Lom didn't know if it was the result of being shot or the emotional trauma of the day.

"Fah," said Lom, gently shaking Fah's uninjured arm. "Fah, I have to sleep in the bed with you. I'm too long for the sofa and sleeping on the floor hurts my back. I'm not going to do anything to you."

Fah opened his eyes, every muscle in his body tensing up, and stared at him.

"Did you hear what I said?" Fah nodded then closed his eyes again.

Lom cleaned up and turned out the lights. Climbing into bed next to Fah, he brought another duvet for himself. He made sure Fah was covered before lying down.

"Goodnight, Fah, sweet dreams," said Lom. He realized the irony of the last two words after what they had experienced that day.

He saw Fah was awake but he never replied. Lom realized that except for the word soup, Fah hadn't spoken. Too tired to worry about what it meant, Lom closed his eyes and was asleep within minutes.

He awoke to discover that during the night he rolled next to Fah and put his arms around him. Fah was awake, staring at the ceiling. He'd been unable to roll on his side to escape Lom's arm due to his injury and the IV.

"Mm, good morning," Lom said, happy that yesterday was in the past. Fah said nothing, he merely lay there stiff as a board. Lom nonchalantly rolled away from Fah. "How's your arm? Is it painful?"

Fah didn't reply, he didn't even glance at Lom. He had been asleep until Lom's arm landed on his chest. Once he awoke and realized what was going on, he tensed up. Was this a test? Did Lom want to try to make him fall for him so he would abandon his new family?

Deep down did Lom care for him? No! His brain cut that thought off. If Lom still loved him he wouldn't have shot him nor would he have said those horrible things.

Why was he using the word "still"? Lom said his love never existed. Fah decided it was better to die. He didn't want Khun Adi, Run, Tin, or Mint to be hurt. Lom was only angry with him because he killed three of his men. If he died, Lom would be happy and Fah's family would be safe.

"Fah, if you don't tell me when it hurts, I won't give you any of the painkillers." Lom stared down at him, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand.

Even Lom is getting sick of having to deal with me, thought Fah. He made his decision then.

"Yes, it hurts. Can I have something for it?"

Lom went to the table on the opposite side of the bed and took out a pre-prepared syringe. Fah looked at it closely and observed the way Lom injected the contents into the IV line. A strange taste came into his mouth and then the pain dulled.

So that's where he keeps it, thought Fah. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Lom showered, dressed, cleaned up the apartment, and checked on Fah again. He was still asleep. As much as Lom wanted to avoid it, he knew he needed to see Ton today. Grabbing his phone and keys he headed off to his family's home.